SPOTLIGHT: AFRICAN HOLLYWOOD WRAP-UP

This year has seen a remarkable increase of African actors in  Hollywood films. From Chiwetel Ejiofor's painstakingly beautiful and poignant role in Steve McQueen's "12 years A Slave" to David Oyelowo's powerful performance in Lee Daniels "The Butler", it seems as though African actors and films alike are finally getting the attention and respect of Hollywood.

Both Idris Elba and Chiwetel Ejiofor,  two TDB faves and my absolute obsessions, recently sat down with the Queen of daytime TV, Oprah Winfrey, to discuss their respective  films. Idris Elba, who is currently starring in  the Nelson Mandela bio pic " Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom" discussed Mandela's legacy  and what it meant for him to portray such an honored and beloved man. 

Here's a clip of Idris recounting his first night in Nelson Mandela's prison cell.

STOP! TURKEY TIME

It's that time of the year, time to celebrate one of my favorite holidays of all time: THANKSGIVING!!!! Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy Christmas and have had some fun New Year's but  there's just something about Thanksgiving. Maybe it's the fact that it's all about family, food, and fun or that I don't have to worry about trying to pick the perfect gift or stress about whether or not I'm going to get a kiss at midnight. All I know is every thanksgiving I get to spend the day hanging out with some of my favorite people while stuffing my face and having a good time.

And in honor of Thanksgiving, I thought I'd share some pictures of my favorite moments from last year's festivities.

WOMAN CRUSH WEDNESDAY

In honor of WCW aka Woman Crush Wednesday, I thought I'd share a list of women who not only inspire and motivate me, but also make me oh so proud to be African.

FARIDA'S COOKING CORNER : MOMBASA PUMPKIN DESSERT

Why, hello there my fine foodie friends! In honor of  Halloween, which is tomorrow for those of you who still haven't gotten a costume, present company included, I decided to bring you a deliciously tasty treat from the lovely people of Kenya. Get your taste buds ready ladies and gent, for I give you  Mombasa Pumpkin Dessert.

GET FAMILIAR: LUPITA NYONG'O

  With only a few credits to her name, actress Lupita Nyong'o is already creating a name for herself in the film world. And with a role in Steve McQueen's highly anticipated "12 Years A Slave", which Nyong'o is expected to take home the New Hollywood Award at the 17th Annual Hollywood Film Awards, it seems as though this is just the beginning for the Kenyan actress. Bottom line: It's about time we all get familiar with Lupita Nyong'o.

FARIDA'S COOKING CORNER: POULET AU COCO

Salutations my foodie friends! (yes, "salutations" just happened, lol). Today I bring you a recipe from Comoros Island. To be perfectly honest with you, prior to finding this recipe, my knowledge of Comoran cuisine was non-existent. But I found a dish that is easy to make, can be served with pretty much anything: rice (brown or white), quinoa, couscous, potatoes, and is delicious!!!

Without further ado I give you a classic Comoran dish, Poulet au CoCo, aka Chicken with Coconut.

GET FAMILIAR: JAHMIL XT QUBEKA

There hasn't been a film in African cinema that has created as much controversy or anticipation as Of Good Report, and filmmaker Jahmil XT Qubeka wouldn't have it any other way.

FARIDA'S COOKING CORNER: CAMEROONIAN CREPES

I am a HUGE fan of breakfast foods: omelettes, pancakes (preferably blueberry), waffles, cereal, french toast, hash browns, you name it. And I'm an even bigger fan of having breakfast for dinner.As an advocate for all things breakfast, I don't see why we have to limit ourselves to only eating breakfast food in the morning, right? So here you go my fellow foodies, an easy African twist on a popular breakfast dish courtesy of my friends from Cameroon.

SPOTLIGHT:CECILE KYENGE

A trailblazer is defined as a person who blazes a trail to guide others; a pioneer. And although the role of a trailblazer can be trying,  Minister of Integration Cecile Kyenge is taking it all in stride.

WHO RUN THE WORLD....GIRLS!

There's an old saying, "Give a man a fish and you  feed him for a day. But teach a man to fish and you  feed him for a lifetime."  As a kid I wasn't sure what this actually meant, but now I see this proverb is about educating someone so they're capable of taking care of themselves. This strong sense of empowerment is exactly what the women of  the Anakazi Center intend to do, well minus the fish.

THE BEST OF FARIDA

After celebrating The Dosha Brand's One Year Anniversary I started thinking about all the fun events I've been to and all the great people I've met.

Here's a list of my Top 5 Posts over the past year.

FLASHBACK FRIDAY: THE DOSHA BRAND

This week we thought it would be fun to show some pics of us from back in the day. Happy Friday. Enjoy! 

Farida & Diva

FARIDA'S COOKING CORNER

I am very excited to share with you my latest dessert recipe for two very important reasons: 

1) I finally found a dessert I can actually make 
2) I now have an assistant, two actually. Yes, you read that right, I  have two assistants; well at least for today.

FARIDA'S COOKING CORNER: BOTSWANA BBQ

Nothing says Summer like warm weather, beach days, and BBQ. I recently stumbled upon a fun and easy African take on traditional American BBQ, inspired by the lovely people of Botswana.

FLASHBACK FRIDAY: MEAN GIRLS

Ah, what can I say about  Mean Girls?  Great cast. Great story. Great movie. I don't know any girl in high school that didn't absolutely LOVE this movie and tried to constantly make "fetch happen".

SPOTLIGHT: ONAFUJIRI "FUJI" REMET

With a fan base growing by the minute, an upcoming exhibition in Lagos this Summer, and a feature on CNN's Inside Africa, budding photographer Fuji Remet is sure to set the art world a blaze. Oh, and did I mention he's only THREE years old?!!?!

FARIDA'S COOKING CORNER

Hello, my fine, fellow foodies! Today I bring you a wonderful dish from Burkina Faso: Riz Gras au Poulet, aka Fat Rice with Chicken. 

SPOTLIGHT : THE GAME CHANGERS

One of my favorite Bible verses states, "To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under heaven...", and for these three Hollywood actors, it seems as though their season is now. Meet (or get re-acquainted) with three actors who are making waves in 2013.

FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELA!

For as long as I can remember, I've always been a performer. I would put on  plays or choreograph dances, and force my parents (and stuffed animals) to watch. And the more I got into the arts, the more I was able to appreciate different type of artistic expression: dance, music, writing, etc. But despite all of the different art exhibits or plays I've attended (which were all great in their own right), nothing really inspired me...and then, came Fela!

THROWBACK THURSDAY: KANYE WEST

Whether you love him or hate him, there's no denying that Kanye West is a musical genius; uh hello the guy made "Jesus Walks" happen.